All Discussions Tagged 'church' - Atheist Nexus2018-02-18T05:20:40Zhttp://atheistnexus.org/group/pennsylvaniaatheists/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=church&feed=yes&xn_auth=no2012 the "Year of the Bible" in Pennsylvania? Passed unanimously in House; our state senators need to hear from us.tag:atheistnexus.org,2012-02-01:2182797:Topic:18435912012-02-01T06:09:13.697ZGrinning Cathttp://atheistnexus.org/profile/GrinningCat
<p><em><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/01/28/its-the-year-of-the-bible-in-pennsylvania/" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/bn4LKANE44CJyIDly2yPu99K3*kQIodpim5e7cSooGFIt4xNUvERRxtkIFBRr*lX3E*bmzfSS2V4UE1uNh-i4RuNpx2oZLpb/smcopyYearoftheBible.jpg" width="310"></img></a> Not a single state representative</em> opposed the "noncontroversial" resolution <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&amp;sessYr=2011&amp;sessInd=0&amp;billBody=H&amp;billTyp=R&amp;billNbr=0535&amp;pn=2983" target="_blank">H.R. 535</a>, passed last week …</p>
<p><em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/01/28/its-the-year-of-the-bible-in-pennsylvania/"><img class="align-full" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/bn4LKANE44CJyIDly2yPu99K3*kQIodpim5e7cSooGFIt4xNUvERRxtkIFBRr*lX3E*bmzfSS2V4UE1uNh-i4RuNpx2oZLpb/smcopyYearoftheBible.jpg" width="310"/></a>Not a single state representative</em> opposed the "noncontroversial" resolution <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&amp;sessYr=2011&amp;sessInd=0&amp;billBody=H&amp;billTyp=R&amp;billNbr=0535&amp;pn=2983" target="_blank">H.R. 535</a>, passed last week <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/RC/Public/rc_view_action2.cfm?sess_yr=2011&amp;sess_ind=0&amp;rc_body=H&amp;rc_nbr=1089" target="_blank">193-0</a> by all reps present. Flouting both the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions, it opens with</p>
<blockquote><p>WHEREAS, <strong>The Bible, the word of God</strong>, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people;</p>
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<p>and after presenting more distorted pseudo-history, goes on to declare</p>
<blockquote><p><em>That the House of Representatives declare 2012 as the “Year of the Bible” in Pennsylvania in recognition of both the formative influence of the Bible on our Commonwealth and nation and <strong>our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures</strong>.</em></p>
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<p>The sponsor, Rick Saccone, explained his rationale in overtly religious terms:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>....House Resolution 535 serves as a reminder that we must look to our faith in God and the Holy Scripture to provide us with the strength, wisdom and courage to conquer these great trials....</em></p>
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<p><a href="http://ffrf.org/uploads/legal/PAYearofthebible.pdf" target="_blank">The scathing rebuke</a> FFRF co-presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor wrote to the House leaders is worth reading in full, with its rebuttals of the resolution's premises.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Pennsylvania Assembly has no business telling citizens which god to recognize, which so-called holy book to "study," much less directing citizens to "apply its teachings."<br/>...[<a href="http://ffrf.org/uploads/legal/PAYearofthebible.pdf" target="_blank">two pages snipped</a>]...<br/>The Pennsylvania Senate must have the enlightened sense to bury this vacuous, posturing, and pandering resolution.<br/>Here is our message to electioneering politicians in Pennsylvania and everywhere: The economy is in shambles, many Americans are jobless and homeless. Quit with the gratuitous religion. Get off your knees and get to work!</p>
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<p>When I called my state senator's office to urge that this resolution be killed, they said I was the first to call about it!</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/01/28/its-the-year-of-the-bible-in-pennsylvania/" target="_blank">Read more at <em>Friendly Atheist</em></a> <span style="color: #808080;" class="font-size-1">(where the photo on top came from)</span></li>
<li>Look up your state representative and state senator at <a href="http://www.votesmart.org/" target="_blank">Project Vote Smart</a>, or at Pennsylvania's <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/index.cfm" target="_blank">Find Your Legislator</a> page.</li>
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<p>Please let us know how your state legislators react to your calls or emails. Thanks!</p>
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